Good morning,
Thank you for your question.
I have reviewed the questions and yours is the first one I have seen. It seems that our interaction in the Q&A space is also a matter of fate. Therefore, I would like to address your confusion.
"What steps should I take to address the fear of men that resulted from being molested by a stranger when I was eight years old?"
It is recommended that you confront your fears head-on and embrace a new way of life.
It is simple to say, but you may respond by stating that you are unable to do so. Alternatively, you may claim that you have been attempting to overcome and establish an intimate relationship for an extended period, yet you remain fearful and have become accustomed to this situation.
It is indeed simple to discuss these issues, but much more challenging to take action. I extend my support and encouragement through this gesture of physical contact.
It has been a challenging journey for you over the years. Do you want to continue living with this burden?
Thank you for your inquiry.
I would like to thank you for your courage in coming to the Yi Xinli platform to share your concerns. I appreciate your trust in the platform.
Thank you for assuming responsibility for your own actions. I and the other respondents will do our utmost to answer your questions and resolve your issues.
Let's review your description together.
On a winter night when I was 8 years old, my 9-year-old sister and I attended an open-air movie. As it was a family area, we attended together. While watching the movie, an unfamiliar adult sat down next to me and said, "I'm cold. May I put my hands in your cotton pants to warm them up?" At the time, I did not think much of it and agreed. However, the man's hands then touched my private parts. I tried to move them away, but he followed. The movie finally ended. My sister called me, so I quickly stood up and went to her. We then proceeded to leave with him. When I got home, I felt very uncomfortable going to the bathroom. I always felt dirty in my heart. However, I never told anyone about it.
This prompted me to recognize that the benevolent nature of a young girl was being exploited and even harmed by an individual with ulterior motives. I extend my support and encouragement once more.
I would like to inquire whether the behavior of the adult stranger caused you any physical harm.
Apart from the desire to remove yourself from the situation and feelings of uncleanliness, what other emotions did you experience?
Please explain why you have never informed anyone of this incident. What were your thoughts at the time?
At the time, did you consider asking for assistance? Who was available to provide support?
Please describe any subsequent interactions with this individual.
An 8-year-old girl in that age group and in that environment may lack the knowledge to protect herself. When a stranger touches her private parts, she may feel scared and fearful because she is too young to fight back against an adult. She may also worry that she will encounter retaliation or threats if she makes a sound. She may think that it is her own fault that has led to this result and be afraid that her parents will criticize her if she tells them. Therefore, she may have to hide it quietly. Many girls may have had similar experiences.
At the age of 21, I encountered a gentleman who was both gentle and refined. I found him attractive, but on one occasion, he was wearing a suit that brought to mind the man who had sexually abused me. The suit was the same color as the one the abuser wore, and I experienced an overwhelming sense of fear.
This is a normal reaction after trauma. It seems that you wrote your fear into your subconscious at the beginning. When we enter the subconscious, the people and things around us are imprinted into our physical memory together. The clothes of the same color awakened your subconscious, making you associate it with the strange adult who molested you. Your inexplicable fear comes from that experience when you were 8 years old, not from that gentle boy.
Subconscious voices, appearances, etc. can also awaken memories and trigger corresponding repressed emotions. These may require resolution through the guidance of a professional counselor or therapist.
I attempted to establish an intimate relationship, but I am now over 40 and have become what some people call a "leftover woman." I have never had a sexual relationship with anyone and have been seeing a psychiatrist for a long time. Fortunately, I am now only in a state of anxiety.
Please describe the difficulties you face in forming intimate relationships, which has led some to label you a "leftover woman."
Please describe your feelings regarding sexual intercourse. Have you ever engaged in such activity? If not, please indicate whether this is due to a lack of interest or apprehension.
Please confirm whether you are physically normal and whether you have undergone any professional examinations or diagnoses.
Please provide the doctor's diagnosis after you had been seeing a psychiatrist for a long time. Also, please describe the circumstances that led you to seek medical treatment.
Please advise if you are currently taking any medication. Have you undergone any psychological counseling, psychotherapy, or other treatments?
Please indicate if you have any additional questions not already covered.
"On occasion, I will research this kind of situation online. Could you please advise as to how long the man will be sentenced for? Has he been arrested since then? Has he gone on to harm other people? In recent years, with hard work, I feel that my social life is relatively normal. However, I am unsure if this is considered normal."
Please describe your social situation prior to this incident.
Please describe the circumstances under which you recall this incident. Have you ever considered contacting the authorities to report it?
Please confirm whether this individual is a family member. What form of disciplinary action do you anticipate?
Please describe the state you expect to be considered normal.
In the era when you were 8 years old, the law may not have been well-established, and people may not have been aware of the need to protect young children from molestation. Fortunately, in May 2020, nine departments, including the National Supervisory Commission, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Public Security, issued the "Opinions on Establishing a Mandatory Reporting System for Cases of Infringement of Minors (Trial)." This was incorporated into the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Minors," which was revised and implemented in June 2021. It has since been elevated to the level of legal provisions.
In accordance with the aforementioned laws and regulations, state organs, residents' committees, villagers' committees, units that interact closely with minors, and their respective staff members are required to promptly report any instances where the physical or mental health of a minor has been or may be adversely affected, or where the minor is in a situation that may endanger them, to the relevant departments of public security, civil affairs, education, and so forth. In the context of accommodating minors or minors and adults together, accommodation operators, such as hotels, guesthouses, and inns, are obliged to ascertain the contact information of the parents or other guardians, the identity relationships of the individuals checking in, and other pertinent details. In the event that any suspected illegal activity is identified, the public security authorities must be immediately informed.
Please do not respond to the above "❓." It is my hope that these questions will prompt you to reflect, provide inspiration, and assist you in processing your experiences and healing. The time required for this process may vary depending on your determination and courage.
In conclusion, the following recommendations are presented:
1. Engage the services of a professional counselor to assist you in reliving the traumatic event that occurred when you were eight years old, releasing pent-up emotions, and determining the impact of the event on you, including any unreasonable perceptions you may have about yourself, others, or intimate relationships.
2. Conduct a review of your life journey since the age of 8 to identify any other events or reasons that may have contributed to your current state, in addition to this incident.
I recommend the book Change Starts in the Heart as a resource for understanding how past hurts can impact our present experiences, the patterns of self-harm, and strategies for creating positive change.
At the age of four or eight, you were in a position of vulnerability, lacking the capacity to safeguard your own interests. However, now in your forties, I believe you have developed a certain level of capability and expertise, equipping you with the ability to protect yourself. You can leverage the insights and skills gained over the course of your 30-year journey to provide care and support to an eight-year-old girl, and to nurture the inner child within you in a mature and effective manner.
I would like to extend another hug and wish you the best in living your wonderful life, free from the fear of being eight years old.
I am a counseling psychologist at Happy Cow.
I am new to the company and to the world, and I am eager to contribute to your success.
Comments
I can't imagine what you've been through, and I'm really sorry that happened to you. It's important to acknowledge your feelings and take things at your own pace.
It's understandable to feel the way you do about relationships and trust after such a traumatic experience. Healing is a long journey, and everyone's path is different.
Thank you for sharing this deeply personal story. It takes a lot of courage to speak up, even if it's just to yourself or in therapy. Recognizing your trauma and working on it with a professional is a significant step forward.
Your concerns are valid, and it's okay to feel uncertain. Seeking information online shows that you're trying to understand and cope with what happened. Just remember, not all men are like that person, and it's not your fault.
You're not alone in this. Many people have experienced similar situations and have found ways to heal and lead fulfilling lives. Your efforts to normalize your social interactions are commendable.